SIDNEY — Maine Arts Academy seeks donations to establish a fund to bring guest artists into its school community.

The academy aims to establish a fund of $5,000 for the 2022-23 school year. Community donations will be used as matching funds to attract additional grant money, according to a news release from the academy.

The academy draws students from approximately 80 communities throughout the state and offers performing and visual arts instructions to students in grades nine through 12. Students follow specific arts pathways in music, visual arts, theater and dance. The pathways are designed to take students from a beginning or foundational level to an advanced level, as preparation for continued study in college programs of their choice.

The addition of bringing guest artists into the school community as an integral part of the curriculum would serve to expose and connect students to a wider range of activities and opportunities to enhance their arts pathway experiences. These opportunities would include workshops, clinics and master classes for advanced students, as well as schoolwide events and field trips, to further expose students to the artistic and creative process of working professionals.

Arts teachers would have direct input into choosing the expanded opportunities for their classes to ensure a connection to curriculum. Collaborations would also be planned for each guest artist to integrate some of their work into academic classes, as part of their time at the academy.

Those who would like to help meet the 2022-23 Visiting Artist Fund goal can donate by visiting maineartsacademy.org. People also can send a check to Maine Arts Academy — Visiting Artist Fund, 11 Goldenrod Lane, Sidney, ME 04330.

For further information, email Jeri Pitcher, arts faculty chair at Maine Arts Academy, at [email protected].